Pallet for tiles



4 Sheets-Sheet l R. V. PROCTOR ET AL PALLET FOR TILES Filed', March 3l,1925 V. A .V

Aug'. 31 1926*.

l Wmmmmmmmmmnnmmuhmluluulwumwl n si@ Q Q Q Q@ TW (D C) 51 fi? lll cib

Aug. 31 1926.

R. v. PRocToR E-r AL PALLET Foa TILES Filed March 31'l 1925 4Sheets-Sheet 2 Aug. 31 1926. f

. R. V. PROCTOF( ET AL PALLET FOR TILES Filed March 3l, 1925 4Sheets-Sheet 5 Aug. 31, 1926. 1,597,820

R. v. PRocToR rrr AL PALLET- FOR TILES Filed March 31 1925L1'.Sheelzs-Sheei'. 4

Panarea Aug. 31, 192e.

RoEERTv. rRocToR AND HARRY 1u.

TEE COMMERCIAL sHEARmG a g CORPORATION or omo.

SCHAAB, F YOUNGSTOWN, OHIO, AS'SIGNOBS T0 STAM'IING lCOMPANY, OFYOUN'GSTOWN, OHIO, A

PALLET RoR TILES.

Application led March `r31, 1985, Serial No. 19,608.v

The present invention relates broadly to pallets and the manufacturingof tiles,

' porcelain ware, abrasive wheelsand the like, and more particularly topallets of the char- 6 acter adapted for use in the manufacture of theso-called terra cotta tiles or blocks, althoufgh the utility oftheinvention is not limite to use with terra cotta bodies'.

At the present timethe manufacture 'of 10 terra cotta tiles, the wordtiles being used in its eneric sense as definitive of architectural slike, involves many diiiiculties. frequently the individual 5 much as500 pounds, so that the mere physical handling thereof presents aconsiderable roblem. In addition to this, a single order requentlyrequires anumber of widely different shapes or designs, therebynecessitat- 0 ing the use of special molds' for each tile. Ordinaril thetiles are formed in plaster'of 'Paris molds, by hand, it being customaryto make them hollow in bac-k and provide them with openings serving notonly to facilitate handling but also to permit air circulation duringthe driving of the tiles.

The tiles as now formed b hand are subsequently inverted onto-woo enallets, and then touched up to cure any de eets which may have occurreddue to faulty molding or the like. The pallets, either with or withoutthe tiles thereon are commonly moved from point to point by draggingthem over the loor.- These heavy tiles on the wooden pallets are thensometimes put into humidity driers where they are permitted to remain inthe neighborhood of 24 hours. During at least a part of this time theyare subjected to a temperature in the neighborhood of 180 F. and t'o ahumidity of from to 7() percent. After a predeterminedl interval, thesteam is shut oii', and During the period of treatment with the dry Notinthe moisture. As this moisture is driven out, the tilestend toshrink,the shrinkage being frequently as high as three-quarters of an inch tothe foot.

be apparent that the shrinkage becomes a factor of 'considerableimportance. I,

Due to this high shrinkage, and to the slze apes, face blocks, lintels,sills and theY land the length of life of the pallets of handling thesame is increased.

dry air is directed into the driers.

air, the heat in the tiles tends to vdrive out As the tiles are n otinfrequently several feet in length, "1t will claims.

of someof the tiles, it will be readily apparent that uniform shrinkageis essential 1n order to 'prevent cracks and/or warping of thetiles. Toinsure a uniform shrinklage, ease of movement between the tiles and thepallets is essential, as well as uniformity of drying or moistureexpulsion.

With the wooden sentials of ease of r ative movement between -the tilesand the pallets and uniform drying, are not possible. The bottomportions of the tiles resting on'the wooden pallets, and the inside ofthe core o enings do not get proper air circulation an thereforethere 1sa -slower rate of moisture lossA in these portions than in the remainderof the terra cotta body. Also, after a very short time the supportingsurfaces of the wooden pallets become rough or warped,

thereby preventing easy sliding of the blocks shrinking operation. It.

thereon during the frequently happens under these conditions that atleast some of the tiles are of poor quality.

allets, the two les? The present invention has for certain of itsobjects the obviating of the difficulties and objections heretoforeencountered in the manufacture of -terra cotta vtiles,

l whereby a better quality of product is madev Fundamentally, thepresent invention involves the use of steel pallets of such conpossible,and ease necessary strength, but

nearly uniform 'condition o f drying, andv inv creased heat transfer tothosepo'rtions from which the moisture. expulsion has heretofore beenAcomparatively slow. j

In the accompanying drawings, there are shown for purposes ofillustration only cer-l tain preferred embodiments ofthe presentinvention, it beingV understood that the vdrawings do not define thelimits of our inf vention, as changes in the construction and operationdisclosed therein may be made without departing either from the spiritof theinvention or thel scopcof our broader Figure-1 is top plan viewofa ,portion of a pallet embodying the present invention, the drawingillustrating substantially half of a complete pallet;

Fi re 2 is .a transverse sectional view on .the 11ne II-II of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a transverse sectional view on the line III-III of Figure 1;

Fi ne 4 is a detail sectional view on theline V--IV of Figure 2;

Figure 5 is a view corresponding to Figure 1 illustrating a slightlymodified embodiment of tle invention; l

Figure 6 is a tranverse sectional view on the llne VI-VI of Figure 5;

'Fi ure 7 is a detail sectional view on the line I-VII of Figure 5;

Figure 8 is a perspective View illustrating one end of still anotherembodiment of the present invent-ion; g

Figure 9 is a v1ew similar to Flgure 8 1llustratin another form ofpallet constructed in accor ance with our invention;

Fi re 10 is a view similarto Figure 9 showing still a further form ofpallet;

Figure 11 is a perspective view showing still another embodiment of theinvention;

and

Figure 12 is a transverse sectional view along the'line XI-XI of Figure11.l

In carrying out the present invention it is necessary to bear in mindthe essentials of strength, in order to carry the heavy loads imposed onthe pallets; durability, in order .f

to permit rough handling of the pallets without danger of breaking orbending; shape, to facilitate handling and sliding over a floor or thelike while permitting stacking of the allets; and design, whereby thedesired alr circulation and heat transfer are both obtained.

In Figure 1 of the drawings there is illustrated. an embodiment of ourinvention 4which has beenfound highly desirable in the manufacture ofcertain types of terra cotta tiles. This embodiment comprises a mainbody portion 2 having its upper surface shaped to provide a sup ortingsurface for a tile during certain of t e steps of the manufacturethereof.' In order to provide the necessary strength for the main body,and prevent sagging or twisting thereof, the body may be formed with aplurality of stiifening ribs 3 extending lengthwise thereof andpreferably pressed downwardly out of the plane of the supportingsurface. In order to permit circulation of air freely to the interior ofthe tile and throughoutthe hollow portions thereof, the main body of thepallet may have a plurality of openings 4 formed therein. It will beunderstood thmJ the location of these openings will depend to someextent upon the character of the tile to be produced thereon, it beingnecessary in certain cases to provide certain portions of the palletwithout perfora-l sagging, but also providing recesses for the receptionof legs on adjacent pallets when the pallets are stacked, to therebyrevent relative movement as will hereina er be more fully pointed out. iL

. The side edges of the pallets are preferably turned downwardly toprovide ianges 6 and v serving not only to stifl'en the pal ets againstthen upwardly to form smooth roundedlower edges 7 permitting an operatorto grasp the allet without danger of injury to his han s and alsostiffening the fianves and further strengthening the pallet body. Theends -may be constructed similarlv to the sides, but are preferablyreinforced by a rolled flange 8 providing a better grip ing edge andfurther'fac'ilitating handling o the pa lets, it bein customary duringcertain operations for t e operators to lift the same from the ends.

In some cases it is required that the pallets shall be supported sucha-distance above the floor as to permit the assage of a lifting trucktherebelow. porting legs of a hei ht sufficient for this purpose, and sospace as to permit the free passage of the truck therebetween. In theconstruction shown in Figure 1, the legs are illustrated as comprisingU-shaped straps of metal having their upper ends 9 welded or otherwisesecured to the side flanges 6 and having a continuously extendingreinforcing T is requires sup' rib or corrugation 10. Preferably thesides 11 of the legs converge in a downward direction .whereby the widthof the base is less than the width of the allet thereby permittingthesame to free y engage the recess 5 1n an adjacent pallet during thestacking of the pallets in superimposed relationship. Due to thedesirability of such an operation, it will be apparent that it isessential -to secure the upper ends of the legs to the body of thepallet immediately below and substantially in the vertical plane of therecesses 5, as clearly illustrated in Figures 1 and 3,

In Figure 5 of the drawings there is illustrated another form of ourinvention in which the main body of the pallet is composed of a seriesof strips 12, each of the strips having reinforcing side flanges 13. Theflanges 13 for the outer edges of the two outer strips are convenientlyformed by bending )the metal downwardly and u pwardly as. beforedescribed to provide rounded lower edges 7. The ends of the strips arelikewise preferably reinforced by rounded iianges 3 forming convenientgrippiner portions.

The strips composing the body are assembled in s aced relation, and heldin this position by egs 14 which may conveniently comprise pressed metalsheets having o enings 15 and having a continuous rein orcing bead 16extending longitudinally of the leg and transversely thereof between theopenings. At its lower end the leg ma have a laterally extending foot 17provi ing a larger supporting) surface. The upper end of the leg may` ewelded in position between the side flanges of the two outer stri s andmay be cut away intermediate its ends to receive the downturned flanges13, all of which may be welded if desired.

The form of our invention illustrated in Figure Sis similar to thatshown in Figures 1 to 4, both inclusive with the exce tion of theconstruction of the supporting eg. In

accordance with this illustration, ,the supporting leg ma be formed bychannels 18 suitably secure at .their upper ends to the side flangesbelow the recess 5 and projecting downwardly therefrom. Each of thesechannels is provided with a series of Opeliings 19 adapted to receive a-transversely extending pin 20. The foot of each legmay be formed by aU-shaped strap 21 having upstanding ends 22 of a width adapted to passfreely between the side flanges of the channels 18 and having alignedopenings to receive the opposite ends of the pin 20.

1 Due to this construction the overall height of the legs may beadjusted as required for diieren't trucks, tiles of differentdimensions, or different types of operations.

In `all of the forms of the linvention heretofore described, the loweror supporting surfaces of the legs are of such construction as to permita pallet to be bodily slid along a floor or other surface without injurythereto while providing the necessaryclearance for the passage of alifting truck therebetween. The edges of the pallets 'are of suchconstruction that they may be readily gripped by an operator, shaped tofacilitate handling and stacking. In the form illustrated moreparticularly in Figures 5 and 6 of the drawings, the individual stripsmay or may not be perforated as desired, it being obvious that thespaces provided between their adjacent edges insure ample room for thefree' circulation of air.

ln Figure 9 of the drawings there is shown a form of our invention moreespecially adapted to transportation by sliding along the surface of afloor or the like and having shorter legs. Pallets of this type may beconstructed to replace ordinary Wooden pallets where lifting trucks havenot customarily been utilized. Such pallets may comprise a body 24 whichmay be either perfothe ends" being `turned flanges 32 havin ratedthroughout or at the desired points, as V,

required, and which has a continuous flange 25, the continuity beingeffected by welding the adjacent edges kof the downturne ilanges at thesidesand ends as indicated at 26. This continuous flange tends toprevent twisting of the pallet about' its diagonale. f The blank fromwhich the pallets are form.- y

ed may be provided with projecting portions -adapted to form' le l27 atsuitable po1nts, the lower ends o the legs being turned inwardly toprovide feet 28. At

certain points along its sides or ends, or both,

the downturned ilanges 25 maybe provided with@ series of notches orrecesses ted to facilitate the engagement with 29 ada the pa et of ahook or slidlnlg it along, slip ing toward either end of the pallet.

Tlie form'i of lthe invention illustrated in other object used inAFigure 10 ldiffers from that in Figure 9 on y in the provision ofrounded corners 30 whereby a continuous integral downturned flange 31 ismade possible. It will be understood that the forms of our inventionillustrated in Figures 9 and 10 may be reinforced by ribs orcorrugations located at points, as heretofore pointed v any desired out.

In Figures 11 and 12 of the drawings there is illustrated a form ofpallet similar different relationship to produce pallets ofdiflerentwidths.` In Figures 5 and 6 the ythree strips are shown as being ofsimilar construction, while in Figures 11 and 12 the center strip 3() isillustrated as being narrower than the two side strips 31. By providingstandard strips widths, it ,will be readily apparent that they can beassembled in any desired relationship, thereby facilitating theformation of pallets of different dimensions as required.

The edges and ends of the pallets may be similarly reinforced byproviding down- 33 curved 1nwardly an upwardly to provide a roundedlower edge, expediting gripping and handling of the pallets. The legs 34may be constructed of sheet material having cut-away `portions of theside flanges 36 and having notches 37 for the reception of the edlgeflan es 32. The notches 37 are preferably so imensioned that the roundedlower edges of the flanges 32 .will rest in the notches and be furtherreinforced thereby. This is highly desirable, as frequently the palletsare bodily rolled over with a tile supported thereon, and during suchoperations the notches form and prevent such hook from.

of different A' llO 35 for the receptionlll() their bottom edges f asubstantial reinforcement. The legs may be welded onotherwise secured tothe strips as desired.

In order to facilitate sliding of the pallets over a fioor orothersurface, `the lower ends of the ,legs are turned upwardly, and the ends38 are in turn bent u out of the plane 'of the main portion of t ebottom of the ing at least one opening theret legs, whereby the legs mayact as runners without fear of engagement with upstanding projections orirregularities in the floor surface.

In our divisional ap lication, Serial No. 88 829 filed February 1%',1926, there is specitcaiiy disclosed and claimed the pana constructionof Figures 1, 2, 3 and 8 of the present application. v The advantages ofthe resent invention arise from the provision o sheet metal allets of asize and `strength adapting em for use in tlie manufacture of terracotta tiles, and facilitating transportation ofl the pallets andmovement of the tile relatively to the pallets duringl the dryingthereof;

Further advantages of the present invention arise from the method ofcuring or drying tiles and similar articles on metallic pallets asdistinguished from wooden pallets,

whereby it is possible to provide relativel smooth supporting surfacesand obtain hig heat transfer with eflicient air circulation.

We claim:

1. As an article of manufacture, a pallet V,ing said body throughout thecentral and edge portions` thereof .to prevent bending,

and -widely spaced supporting legs projecting downwardly from said body,said legs being of a height as to permit the insertion of a lift truckbelow the body, substantially as described.

3. As an article of manufacture, a pallet comprising a metallicsupporting body having "at least one opening therethrou h for thecirculation of air, means for rein orcing` said body to pievent bendingthereof, and

supporting legs projecting downwardly fromv said body, said `cody havingat least portions of its periphery shaped to reinforce the pallet andproviding broadened surfaces to facilitate gripping thereof' by anoperator,.

substantially as described.

4. As an article of manufacture, a pallet comprising a metallicsupportin body haying atleast one opening theret rough for -commonto allof said bodies,

the circulation of air, means for reinforcing1 said body to preventbending thereof, an supporting legs projecti downwardly from said body,said legs eac havin reinforcing means eiective vertically t ereof,substantially asdescribed'.

5. As an article of manufacture, a pallet provided with a supportinsurface 'formed of a plurality of spaced odies and legs said legs havingcutaway portions coo rating with said bodies, substantially as escribed.

.6. As an article of manufacture, a pallet provided with a supportingsurface formed of a plurality of spaced strips, each strip `havingreinforcing means therefor, and le cooperating both with the bodies ofsaid strips andthe reinforcing means therefor, substatinally asdescribed.

7. As an article of manufacture, a pallet provided with a supportingsurface formed of a plurality of spaced strips, each havin reinforcingside flan es formed thereon an protecting downwardly therefrom, and legsshaped to extend upwardly between said flanges, substantially asdescribed.

' 8. As an articlel of manufacture, a pallet rovided with a metallic suporting surace, stiffening flanges for sai surface, and

legs shaped to extend between said flanges and projecting downwardlybelow said flanges,substantially as described.

9. As an article of manufacture, a pallet provided with a metallic suporting surface, stilfening flanges for sai surface, and legs projectingdownwardly below saidy flanges, -said legs coo erating at their up-yper-ends with said an es and the under side of said surface, sustantially as described.

10. As an article of manufacture, a`

pallet comprising a metallic supporting ody, means lfor reinforcing saidbody throughout the central and edge portions thereof to preventbending, and supportin legs pro'ecting downwardl from sai body, sai legsbeing of a height and being so spaced as to permit the insertion of alift truck below the body, substantially as described.

11. As an article of manufacture,a allet comprising a metallicsupporting ody, means for reinforcin said body lto prevent bendingthereof, an -supporting legs projecting downwardly from said body, saidegs each having reinforcing means effective vertically thereof,substantially as described.

12. As an article of manufacture, a pallet comprising a supportingsurface formed of a plurality of strips, each strip having reinforcingmeans therefor, and legs cooperating both with said strips and thereinforcing means therefor, substantially as described.

13. As an article of manufacture, a pallet provided with a supportingsurface formed with a luralty. o longitudinally extending rein orcingmeans, at least some of said 5 reinforcing means comprising downturnedlongitudinally extending reinforcing means, at least some of saidremforcing means lcomprising` downturned flanges, and supporting legsfor said surface shaped to extend upwardlly1 withinl said flanges, saidsupporting legs aving verticall effective reinforcing. means,substantial y as described. ,y

In'testimony whereof we have hereunto set our hands.

I vROBERT .V. PROCTOR.

HARRY n M. SCHAAR.

